Lightning

Lightning has struck within 50 meters of me twice within the last two weeks. Today's episode was a little more noteworthy though 'cause 1) it was closer, and 2) it was silly! I'm guessing that by the end of this summer, I'll have a keener sense of nature since I'll be traversing the city, MD and VA for the next three months in the elements without a car. So far, however, I think I've been stranded outside and improperly equipped during every thunderstorm and heat wave we've had since giving my car away.

I was actually doing better than normal today. About 30 minutes before the 1st raindrop fell, I could tell the weather was changing and started to make my way back home. 20 minutes before the rain I was on a shuttle from Georgetown to Dupont Circle and heard thunder. I was all excited because I managed to "predict" the arrival of the storm and it sounded like it was far away - so I managed to beat it!

5 minutes before the rain I was about half a mile from my apartment and it was pretty clear the storm was closer than I thought. The thunder was loud, but the sky still looked clear. Then out of nowhere, the most ridiculous thing happened! I had just crossed an intersection & the guy who was walking in front of me had just started to walk under a tree on the corner. All the sudden the entire sky was bright white and noise was everywhere (i dunno how else to explain it!! it was the loudest noise ever, but the origin was undetectable) . I think everyone was just startled and confused 'cause all the people in the area stopped walking and looked in my direction, and then a huge branch from the tree in front of me fell and almost hit the guy that was in front of me. Car alarms went off - the traffic lights we had just passed went out - people started running - and it started pouring!

It was actually pretty cool. The noise was the best part. I'm not gonna pretend like I wasn't scared though, 'cause I had my running shoes on and ran the fastest 800 meters I think I've ever clocked. If only the start of races at track meets were signaled with an uncomfortably close crash of lightning... I coulda been a contender!

Anyway - when lightning strikes your general vicinity twice, it's a sign. [That is a saying, right?!] I've got a final exam tomorrow that I don't feel like studying for. So, I'm taking it as a signal from above that I'll be fine and should spend tonight mentally preparing by relaxing to a movie to instead of hitting the books.

I know how to take hints.

UPDATE: Got an "A" on that final and subsequently the class... Lightning is great.